The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-02-09
Chr 9aily 8mllstin.
WEDNESDAY. FEB. o, 1887.
CULTIVATION OF CINCHONk IN
BOLIVIA.

Bolivian cinchona was formerly
gathered by the Indians, and in such
manner that large forests were
destroyed, trees cut down, the bark
token in any way merely to make up
large quantities; to-day the quinia
plantations, or, rs they are called
here, uuinales, are cultivated and
nourished with care and agricultural
science, the principal planters being
Gcrmans--onc, Otto Richter, possess
ing 100000 plants: the estate of
John Kraft, IL Hollnnder, lately de-
ceased, 100000.
The cultivation of quinia in planta-
tons, Systematically, has been car
ricd on for about seven years, hardly
long enough to show all the advan-
tagcs, as there is room for much
study and improvement.
Mapire, about sixty leagues north
of this place, or about five days
journey, has under cultivation about
1900, 900 plants; Tonga, northeast of
this city about twenty leagues, bOO,-
600 plants; Yungas, east-northeast
twenty leagues, 100000 plants;
Guanay, east OF Mapire, 100000
plants; total, 100000 plants.
Where the principal quinales are
it is very rough and broken coun-
try, the Andes being scanned and cut
into deep valleys in every direction.
The trees are planted on the sides of
the valleys or ridges in attitudes of
about 5000 to 1000 feet above the
sea. They will grow higher up, even
to 5000 feet, but are stunted and will
give little or nothing of what is called
here the quinia salt. The plants
want great deal of sun, heavy rains,
and fresh winds.
! have convcrsed with three of the
principal superintendent of the
large quinia plantations-all Ger
mans--and they say that the culti-
walton of quinia is yet in its infancy,
and there will be many improve
ments through time and experience.
A tree will give from 10 to 20
pounds of seed. The seed is collected
in November and December (the
early summer months here) and
planted very thickly in boxes or beds
about IL feet in length and 3 feet in
breadth, and placed on slight de-
cline or fall and well irrigated.
When the plants are about 6 inches
in height and have few leaves, from
five to six (Which is about five
months), they are transplanted ;
holes of some 8 to 10 inches deep are
dug about six feet apart, in which
they are planted. The plant is COW
cred partly over with twigs and other
light stuff, grass and leaves to keep
off the sun for about three months.
When the plant is strong and
healthy, the underground OF other
plants is cleaned out and great care
is taken. This attention continues
for about two years, and then the
plants that are left are considered
sound. About % per cent of all the
plants decay or rot in this time.
Afterward the underground is cleared
once year, and when the tree is six
years old, it is productive, grows to
about II feet in height, and has a
diameter of about six inches up to
about or 7 feet, Where the bark is
of the most productive kind the trunk
grows straight and slender, and has
the form of an orange tree. When n
tree is left standing for ten or twelve
years it is over foot in diameter,
the bark is thicker and heavier, but
not so productive in quinia. The
bark is ready to cut when the tree is
about six years old. An incision is
made around the trunk OF the tree a
few inches from the ground, another
incisson some "A inches above around
the tree, and then two incissions OPP
posite, lcngthwise. The bark is
pulled off in two pieces. Two cuts,
and sometimes three, are got off each
tree, % to "a inches in length and Z
to inches in width. When covered
it curls up like the cinnamon bark
After the tree is stripped 1t is cut
down, leaving the trunk about
twelve inches above the ground,
and from the base, where the
bark has been left, there springs out
some fifteen or twenty shoots OF
sprouts; these are left growing until
they are little higher than the
stump, then they are thinned out
leaving two or three; they grow fast
and in five years give good bark.
The trees produce on an average
about four and n half pounds of bark
and are stripped In the southern
hemisphere late in spring--Octobel
to January. The bark il placed in
paved yards, and is generally cured
in four days, but if rain sets in, al
times it takes nearly three weeks.
The principal enemy in the insect
line is IL large black ant, which IL
very destructive. There are variou,
classes OF the 9uinia tree, calisaya
green and purple, The greater par
Of the quinia passes through this cit.
baled and sent to Tacne and Mo
lendo. Cinchona is the common
name for all quinia.
The market price is now 40 cents
per pound, Bolivia currency. 1t ha
sold as high as 200 bolivianos pc
quintai. 1t formerly paid tax o
GAO boliyianos per quintal; now one
half, 3.20 boiiyiapos, one-half to tn,
government and one-half municipal
AS the greater part OF the quinil
forests were destroyed, and, unit
very lately, the cultivation OF quinii
has not been carried out in a prope
manner, it is only nov that it ma.
be said to be regular business. Tn